Ninth Day of Sock Yarn

On the 9th Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

two skeins of Shibui Staccato!

To have a chance to win these two lovely skeins of wool/silk in the Artichoke color, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Do you belong to or attend a knitting group?  If so, tell us about it.  If not, what would make the perfect knitting group for you?

Until last year, the only people I had knit with were a couple friends and my grandmother.  Knitting was pretty much my own, private meditative hobby.  I didn't think I had the time to attend a group regularly.  Then last year I started attending one and it's the highlight of my week.  I make time for it every week (I think the only time I've missed is for three weeks after having Henry), and there's just something awesome about getting together with people who enjoy the same thing you enjoy and knitting away.   And since it's the only time during the week when I get away from kids or work, it's vastly important to my mental health.

We've also had a handful of knitalong days here in the shop, and I've enjoyed those as well.  It's really nice to compare and contrast what everyone is working on and it makes me feel part of the knitting community.  If you haven't yet had the opportunity to join in with a group of knitters, I highly recommend taking the plunge.  It can be easy to talk yourself out of showing up to a group comprised of people you've never met and might not have anything in common with, other than knitting.  But most yarn shops or libraries have groups that get together once a week or month, and I think you'll find that you are welcomed with open arms and people are excited to have a new knitter join in.  Just do it!

To read the full details/rules of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn, go here.

Comments

[Susie]

No knitting group, though I'd like to find some knitters to meet with at library or coffee shop. Maybe I'll start one after the holidays.

[Debbie]

I belong to a great knitting group. We meet every Wednesday at noon. We all work together and we meet during our lunch hour. We have some knitters who just started knitting when they joined the group this year and some very experienced knitters. It's been a huge success so, we will continue it - hopefully for a long time.

[Deb]

I'm in a knitting group, but no one is as knitting/yarn crazy as I am. I would love to be in a group that is as obsessed as I!!

[Nathanne]

No, I'm not a joiner of anything. I like to knit while I watch tv or listen to the radio. I live in a rural area, and there are no yarn shops or knitting groups near here. I do like to knit with my daughters though. My older daughter lives overseas, and we go on Skype to talk knitting, and knit away at our latest project while we chit chat.

[Judy]

No I don't belong to a group. As I own a retail business it is had to find the time during the day and I really enjoy peace and quiet at night. Knitting is my relaxation.

[Renee']

I belong to a knitting guild but I am unable to go to the day meetings because I work. We used to hold a night meeting but that kind of fizzled out. I have met wonderful knitters through the guild tho' so we occasionally get together to visit and knit or take a road trip. Plus it is always fun to see what other people are working on!

[Carol]

Yes, I do belong to a group. It is a group of "mature" ladies with much to share of life experience. Some of us knit items for a special charity we support. Others for family members and one member we are mentoring/teaching. So far we have not solved any of the worlds's problems but the life experience of some of the members gives us different perspectives on today's issues.

[Gale]

I don't go to any knitting group but need to start one or see what is around. I wound just like to make new friends and have fun knitting.

[Cheryl]

Not to start a bru ha ha, but I belong to the best knitting group in the land. We are a group that runs the age gamut. We share each others joys and successes and comfort each other in times of sorrow and stress. We knit for ourselves, each other and charity.
Our yarn shop offers its roof each summer for a radio-thon. Of course we all help in the cause.
It's my home away from home!

[Amy St. Amour]

Yes-loosely. I go once a week to my LYS where the regulars sit and knit together on certain days. It's often a core of familiar faces, but new folks are always welcome. We exchange hints, tips, suggestions with each other on yarns and techniques. It's a good time and lots of fun!

[deetyblue]

Mmmm... I love that green.

I have an online knitting group, er, game (HPKCHC on Ravelry) and I've met some of the local players, and we get together monthly-ish to knit or yarn shop or snack or all of the above. Other that that, no formal group. Between SAHP-ing my three year old and time with DH and Older Child, my weeknights are taken, and I haven't found a weekend one. (Haven't looked that hard, though)

[Vivian]

I belong to a prayer shawl group where we knit and crochet, I belong to Ravelry challenge and also at work we just started a crochet/knit group at lunch once a week.

[ritainalaska]

no, no knitting group for me ... i'm not up to going out and about much and can't make it to the local knitter's evening. sigh.

[Melanie]

No knitting group for me. I live in a rural area and the only one near me, well, I'm not super keen on the 'leader'? That's ok though - that's what Ravelry is for. Online knitting groups for the win! lol

[Donna]

I attended the local knit group a couple of times but did not feel particularly welcome. There was only one other woman over 40 & divorced. It wasn't exactly a hostile atmosphere, it was more as if the other woman & I were invisible. I didn't particularly mind because I don't really view knitting as a social activity anyway. And I get plenty of human knitting interaction on the Internet. And I prefer to knit in private.

[KathyD]

I'm not currently knitting with a group, but would like to join one after the holidays.

[Andrea B]

I belong to a group that meets on Monday nights at our local library. Something I look forward to every week.

[Aimee]

I belong to a local knitting/crochet guild. We have several weekly meet ups. I attend at least one meeting per weekend, sometimes two. I love them.

[Elizabeth]

yes, I started a knitting group over 5 years ago. It has been a great experience. After losing our regular meeting place our membership is increasing again. Yeah!

[Jane]

When we hired a new priest at our Episcopal church, we got a very valuable bonus - his wife! Bev is a very experienced knitter and she started our Tuesday night knitting group, teaching us how to knit and then helping solve problems. I, too, make time to go to knitting. Even when I'm too tired to knit for long, just being with the group is a huge boost. I love them all!

[Pat]

I do not belong to any knitting group. For me is a private, personal pleasure and I do not like to hear comments about what I'm knitting.

[Susan]

I don't go to a knitting group, but I had a lovely day a few months ago meeting friends and wandering round a strange city. There was much knitting, and many cups of tea, and of course lots of chatting.
It was a lovely day.

[Becky P]

I am part of a knitting group that meets monthly. There is also part of the group that meets every other week for knitting lessons so you can go whenever you want even if you aren't taking lessons. The group is really fun and has a variety of ages of people. Also, crocheting and other crafts are welcome too. Even if someone doesn't want to bring a craft they are welcome to come. Many moms of young children like a break and a chance to talk with adults. I love my group!

[Sarah]

I haven't found a knitting group that works for me, sadly. Some fits and starts, but it always seems that schedules don't align.

[Cindy Carpenter]

No, I don't have a knitting group (nor a quilting guild but for different reasons). I live in Florida, work 12 hour nights on a weird 2 on, 2 off, 3 on 2 off, 2 on, 2 off, 3 on... schedule. This makes almost everything impossible to plan with 'normal' people schedules. My dream team would include people with my same screwed up schedule. Unfortunately working in law enforcement/corrections isn't conducive to these dreams.

[Ashley W]

I've never belonged to a knitting group, but I just moved and one of my friends is going to take me to hers in the new year!

[Karina]

My local yarn shop has a knit night every Tuesday. I really enjoy going, so I try to go every week. It is great to see what everybody is working on and look at all the yarn and new magazines.

[Tiffany]

I do not knit in a group - I don't think I would be able to knit and talk/pay attention to conversation at the same time - I would miscount and mess up my project! I do think it would be nice to talk to real live people about knitting though, but the internet keeps me connected to people who love yarn and knitting, which is good.

[Jan]

I belong to a Guild in Manassas, VA called Prince William Purlers. We are chartered for charity, so have voluntary projects each month. Our group ranges from new knitters to designers, so it's a great bunch!

I also work with a group called Knitters and Crocheters Care, that meets once a month at several different places. One is a favorite yarn store, and I enjoy meeting with the group each month, and really miss it if I can't attend!

[SallyBC]

No knitting group for me, but I sometimes think I'd be better off if I did have one. But not many knitters in my area of the woods. A perfect one would be a group who had various levels of capability, meet at least once a week and encouraged everyone!

[Julie]

No knitting group for me. :( And I've always knitted alone. I've been wanting to try and go to a sit-in night at my LYS just to see what it's like to knit with other people, but just haven't gotten up the courage to do so.

[Kay L]

I attend two different groups: One at the only (local to me) LYS on Thursday afternoons and the other is currently Wednesday evenings either at the library or a local coffee shop. All fiber artists come to the Wednesday night group. Thursdays is mainly knitters and crocheters (although several spin and/or weave).

Great bunch of people at each and the skill level goes from beginner to expert at both.

[Kathy Boettcher]

I recently moved to Georgia and joined the Northern Georgia Knitting Guild. One of the things that interested me about this group is that they have charities for which they donate knitted/crocheted items. It makes being a part of this group more meaningful. They are also advocates of teaching others and also support TKGA.

[Caroline]

I do most of my knitting on my couch, but I do try to get out some. A friend and I will get together once every couple weeks, either at a coffee shop or the weekly open night at the yarn shop. There is also a great guild with meetings once a month that I try to get to when I can. They organize retreat weekends and other events that are the best - Snohomish Knitters Guild for anyone in the Seattle area.

[Terri]

I haven't attended a knitting group for awhile, but think about re-joining frequently - maybe it will have to be a New Years resolution! I have been to a group in the past and always enjoyed them.

[Alison]

Once upon a time I did, but it kind of stopped happening and everyone moved away, including me. I spend my knitting time with TV and movies now!

[Laura]

I'm not part of a group yet but now that my kids are a little older there is a far better chance.

[Karin]

I tried knitting with a group once, but I quickly realized that I'm much happier knitting quietly by myself. The group is too distracting, and I get nothing done. lol

[Cynthia]

My best friends are my Thursday night knitting group! We are very faithful - the 6 of us! We sometimes have additional friends or knit at a yarn store, but always on Thursday.

[Melissa]

I would love to find a knitting group. For now, though, I am quite happy knitting on my own as well - I just love that quiet absorbing time.

[Maureen]

I have two friends that get together with me occasionally. This is our knitting group, I guess.

[Anne]

Not yet but that is something I hope to do soon.

[Christine]

I regularly attend a Friday at noon knitting group at my LYS. I do like it because it gets me to sit and knit with no distractions!

[Rachel R.]

I've never been to a knitting group - but I wish my book club was a knitting book club because that would be just about perfect!

[Tara]

I am a solo knitter. It's just always been something I've enjoyed to do alone.

[Judi Kennedy]

I live in a knitting wasteland and belong to a group of one.

[Juana]

I do not belong to any group here. Try a couple of times but did not feel welcome. I am veryyyy shy. Knitting is my relaxing time of the day and having the chance to share in Ravelry has made a big difference in my life. With all the comunity feel theere and KALs, sharing and caring is a great feeling. I plan on trying again to join a knitting group.

[kat]

I don't belong to a group. For me the perfect one would meet on Saturday afternoon and be full of people who know much more than I do and would be happy to teach me the many things I still need to learn!

[Jeri Nicklau]

I do not presently belong to a knitting group. I have done so in the past. The ideal group would be close to home, full of knitters trying new things. I like a mix of people of age groups and status also to be interesting.

[Anne]

I do not have a group right now because of time constraints. I would love a relaxed, convivial group where we can knit and talk or not -- about life and about knitting.

[Teresa C]

I work evenings M-F so, that makes it extremely hard to find a knitting group. My perfect group would have to gather on a weekend, at the library would be great.

[Donna]

I don't belong to a group but would join if I could fit into my schudele.

[Andrea Walker]

I don't belong to a knitting group. I have spent a lot of time @ Knitting Daily in the past + enjoyed it very much. As well as friendly folks there... I made 2 very good friendships that continue away fr KD w/ emails/ ph calls + pkgs. We may never meet... but I value their friendship a great deal!!!

Since I have Enviro Illness... "group stuff" isn't usually an option for me. So I guess my dream knitting group would be one that had a firm "scent free" policy. I am lucky in that my husband decided to learn to knit last Dec. So now I have another knitter in my house!!! In a yr he has gotten to the point that he's almost finished w/ a hoodie for himself.... sz extra large. YAY!!!

[LN in TX]

I don't belong to a knitting group. I'm more of a solitary knitter.

[Erica]

Knitty Giddy at the library. Help, teach, stretch each other on projects. Order yarn together. Challenges a couple times a year. These folks are some of my best friends now.

[Linda Fristedt]

Bless my primary group, here in Portland, Oregon, the T.G.I.F. Knitters who go back and forth between two locations and usually attracts 6 to 9 of us each week (though our list consists of nearly 20). They are my bedrock.
I also attend a library group twice each month and a small self-educating group once each month. In addition, I knit with a friend on another couple mornings. Together, these meetings provide a real rhythm and security for my knit-life.

[Carla in MT]

No, I don't belong to a group. But would love to. Just having a planned time to get together & knit would be so nice.

[Barbara]

I go my LYS on Thursday evenings and knit with a fabulous group. It is so nice to share knitting and crocheting tales and to forget about "real life" for a few hours. Thanks for the 12 days of Christmas.

[susan]

i used to belong to a knitting group. Some people brought other needlework. I live in a very small town population 1500 and now everyone I know works. I have unfortunately succumbed to a bad case of Crohn's disease which is driving me nuts. Most of my friends avoid me a night as I am too tired to knit. But I am hopeful i will organize something again once I am in remission--I am one of those people who are counted upon to organize things. In the meantime, I keep myself company

[Sara B.]

I belong to a local knitting guild - the Chicago West Suburban Knitting Guild, The Windy City Knitting Guild - in Chicago, and regular knitting meet-up at Caribou coffee! I don't attend all of them every month, but I try.

[Cheryl]

We are in the process of starting a shawl ministry knitting group at our church - we've gathered to knit a few times and brainstorm.

[Susan Ipavec]

There is a group of women who get together at an LYS near me..they are always helpful and its fun to just sit, knit, and chat away on a weekend (or weeknight).

[Chris M]

I don't belong to a group any more but will make it one of my goals to try and find one in 2013. I just read about a new yarn shop in a nearby town and they had a Tuesday night knitting group. Sounds like I need to pay a visit!